The All Blacks have planned two training camps during this year’s Super Rugby campaign.

New coach Steve Hansen and his management have decided to meet with their players a couple of weeks before their home series against Ireland in June. The plan will be to announce a squad on 13 May after round 12. The All Blacks will then gather from Sunday to Tuesday after rounds 12 and 13 before meeting full-time after round 15 for the June Test break.

Hansen has communicated this plan with New Zealand’s Super Rugby coaches. Blues coach Pat Lam said everyone supports this initiative.

‘The other option was to pull the All Blacks out of that round,’ said Lam. ‘We [the Super Rugby coaches] felt it would be good for the All Blacks to have those camps because it’s such a big first up international for them.’

Meanwhile, the All Blacks have also confirmed their November end-of-year tour fixtures. They will play Scotland (10 November), Italy (17 November), Wales (24 November) and England (1 December).